If you suspect your phone number has been hijacked, time is critical. Immediately contact your mobile carrier to report the SIM swap and request that they restore control of your number. Ask them to secure your account with additional authentication measures to prevent future attacks.
Next, check your financial accounts, email, and cryptocurrency wallets for unauthorized activity. Change your passwords and switch to stronger two-factor authentication methods that do not rely on text messages. Notify your bank and credit card companies of potential fraud, and request that they flag your accounts for suspicious activity.
Finally, file reports with law enforcement and regulatory agencies. In California, you can file a police report and also report the crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These reports create a paper trail that can help in disputes with creditors or financial institutions. Consulting with an attorney experienced in identity theft cases can also help you recover damages and hold responsible parties accountable.
